To begin with, the word "wanker" in the title is underlined in red on my computer to suggest that it is either not a word or spelled incorrectly. Listen here PowerBook G4, not only is wanker a word, but I spelled it correctly. I bet Steve Merchant would support that point despite the fact that I believe he is the thing that he is supporting me on. Bloody wanker.
I had the unfortunate opportunity today to peruse through my parents' copy of The Toronto Sun. After briefly studying the interests of today's Sunshine Girl (her dog and working out!) I flipped through the Entertainment section in order to see what the "journalist" had to say about last night's Big Brother or Lost or Survivor or Two and a Half Men or Herman's Head. As a supplement to the article on Extras was a little tidbit (or, in the Sun's case, titbit) on Steve Merchant, the writer/co-creator of both Extras and the British Office. Now, I highly enjoy both Extras and The Office and even enjoy Merchant's brief acting in both. However, this Toronto Sun titbit really pissed me off...
The entire article is just a series of quotes by Merchant where he philosophizes on why Arrested Development was a "flop." If we solely base our conclusions on whether or not something is a flop on viewership and financial affluence then I think our scope is quite limited.
The wanker then has the audacity (I love that word, it perfectly articulates my outrage) to say "I can see how you could switch it [Arrested Development] on as an average Joe and not really get it. You'd sort of think 'Who are these crazy people and why do I care?' " Ah yes, I understand now. Merchant is concerned about the greater good of comedy. We must cater humour to the uneducated, naive and stupid of society. He goes on to toot his own crooked-toothed horn by stating that his shows have an "entry-point" for the audience: relatable characters. Merchant says "In the case of The Office it was the characters of Tim and Dawn, who were normal people surrounded by idiots." That's right, I forgot that one thing morons love is to watch a show in which they can relate to two smug office workers who are better than them.
In regards to Extras, Merhcant states that "Andy...is quite relatable in his own way. He's petty and jealous and aspiring, but he feels like a real guy in a slightly mad world." Good call you toothless fuck (that's right, during the writing of this blog Merchant has gone from having crooked teeth to no teeth at all. They really should institute a better dental plan in the UK), AD never even considered such a premise. Oh wait, that's what the whole fucking show is based on. Michael Bluth is "a real guy in a slightly mad world."
Quite frankly, all of Merchant's comments really come across as British arrogance. Arrested Development is certainly one of the best comedic programs in the history of time AND space and all Merchant can do is used warped logic to call it a "flop" and then prop his show up on some Buckingham Palace pedestal that is used anytime a British citizen wishes to display arrogance.
Finally, in regards to the supposed AD movie in pre-production, Merchant proposes that it might "be like the Police Squad TV show...it was a flop, but then they made the movie Naked Gun and it was a smash." Ah yes, compare Arrested Development to a program/movie series that relied on lowbrow humour and non-stop visual gags, you cock-mangling shithead (thanks Tim!). Actually, I hope the Arrested Development movie relies solely on rubber chickens and tit jokes. Then it will provide the "Average Joes" with something to relate to. Think of the hilarity when George Michael gets hit by a car again and again. And again. And again. Imagine the side-splitting laughter that will ensue upon seeing Gob sit on a whoopie cushion. Lucille's breasts just inexplicably exploded––hilarious! You're a bloody fucking wanker Steve Merchant, go work on your electro-shock lizard dance.
